US20090223378A1 - Popcorn popping machines and associated methods of manufacture and use - Google Patents
Popcorn popping machines and associated methods of manufacture and use Download PDFInfo
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- US20090223378A1 US20090223378A1 US12/399,747 US39974709A US2009223378A1 US 20090223378 A1 US20090223378 A1 US 20090223378A1 US 39974709 A US39974709 A US 39974709A US 2009223378 A1 US2009223378 A1 US 2009223378A1
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Images
Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
- A23L7/00—Cereal-derived products; Malt products; Preparation or treatment thereof
- A23L7/10—Cereal-derived products
- A23L7/161—Puffed cereals, e.g. popcorn or puffed rice
- A23L7/174—Preparation of puffed cereals from wholegrain or grain pieces without preparation of meal or dough
- A23L7/183—Preparation of puffed cereals from wholegrain or grain pieces without preparation of meal or dough by heating without using a pressure release device
- A23L7/187—Discontinuously-working apparatus
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
- A23L7/00—Cereal-derived products; Malt products; Preparation or treatment thereof
- A23L7/10—Cereal-derived products
- A23L7/161—Puffed cereals, e.g. popcorn or puffed rice
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates generally to popcorn popping machines.
- Popcorn popping machines are known in the art.
- One type of conventional popcorn popping machine makes popcorn by heating corn kernels in oil.
- Another type of popcorn popping machine known as a “dry” popping machine, makes popcorn by heating corn kernels in hot air.
- the corn kernels are subjected to a current of hot air to heat the kernels to the popping temperature.
- flavoring e.g., butter, caramel, oil, etc.
- Popping machines using hot air to pop large quantities of popcorn are typically used for commercial purposes.
- FIG. 1A is a schematic side view of a popcorn popping machine configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
- FIG. 1B is an isometric view of a popping drum of the popping machine of FIG. 1A .
- FIG. 2A is an isometric view
- FIG. 2B is a front side view
- FIG. 2C is a right side view
- FIG. 2D is a left side view
- FIG. 2E is a plan view of a popcorn popping machine configured in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.
- FIG. 1A is a schematic side view of a popcorn popping machine 100 (“popping machine”) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
- the popping machine 100 includes a cabinet or housing 102 enclosing a popping drum 120 , an air mover 132 (e.g., an axial fan, plug fan, centrifugal fan, high velocity fan, etc.), and a heat source 110 (e.g., an electrical heating element, gas burner, etc.), among other components.
- FIG. 1B is an isometric view of the popping drum 120 . Referring to FIGS.
- the popping drum 120 extends longitudinally in the housing 102 and includes a corn mover 123 (e.g., a conveyor belt, screw conveyor, auger, etc.) mounted on a shaft 121 .
- the corn mover 123 is an auger 122 .
- the auger 122 can have a diameter of about 12 inches and a pitch of about 6 inches, and the shaft 121 can have a diameter of about 3 inches and a length of about 48 inches. In other embodiments, however, these dimensions can differ.
- the auger 122 and/or the shaft 121 can be different sizes, and the auger 122 can have a greater pitch, a finer pitch, segments with different pitches, etc.
- the auger 122 is covered with a screen 124 (partially shown in FIG. 1B ) wrapped around and extending along the length of the auger 122 .
- the screen 124 can be formed from perforated sheet metal that is approximately 35% open. In other embodiments, however, the screen 124 can be made from other suitable materials that are more or less than about 35% open.
- the popping machine 100 includes a drive assembly 130 having a relatively compact width compared with conventional dry popping machines.
- the drive assembly 130 includes the air mover 132 which is mounted on a support shaft 140 extending laterally across a portion of the housing 102 .
- the support shaft 140 extends across the housing 102 from a first side 109 a of the housing 102 to a second side 109 b of the housing 102 . More specifically, a first end portion 142 of the support shaft 140 is supported by a first bearing assembly 146 at the first side 109 a, and an opposite second end portion 144 of the support shaft 140 is supported by a second bearing assembly 148 at the second side 109 b.
- the first bearing assembly 146 and the second bearing assembly 148 are configured to support the support shaft 140 and allow the support shaft 140 to rotate about its longitudinal axis to drive the air mover 132 .
- the first bearing assembly 146 and the second bearing assembly 148 are each attached to an exterior surface of the housing 102 .
- the first bearing assembly 146 and the second bearing assembly 148 can be located at other positions, including, for example, inside the housing 102 , integral with the housing 102 , etc.
- the support shaft 140 can be cantilevered from a side portion of the housing 102 .
- the longitudinal or rotational axis of the support shaft 140 extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal or rotational axis of the shaft 121 of the corn mover 123 .
- the first end portion 142 of the support shaft 140 extends outwardly beyond the first bearing assembly 146 and is operably coupled to a first pulley 152 .
- a chain or belt 154 operably couples the first pulley 152 to a second pulley 156 .
- the second pulley 156 is carried by a drive shaft 158 extending from and operably coupled to a motor 150 (shown schematically).
- the motor 150 rotates second pulley 156 , which drives the first pulley 152 via the belt 154 .
- the motor 150 is attached to a lower portion of the housing 102 . In other embodiments, however, the motor 150 can be positioned in other locations.
- the motor 150 can be positioned on the side of the housing 102 above, below, or laterally spaced apart from the first bearing assembly 146 .
- the motor 150 can be operably coupled directly to the first end portion 142 of the support shaft 140 to drive the support shaft 140 without the use of the first pulley 152 , the belt 154 , and/or the second pulley 156 .
- the interior of the housing 102 is separated into a first side 103 and a second side 105 by a first divider or partition member 104 extending longitudinally through the housing 102 .
- the heat source 110 is mounted inside the housing 102 in the second side 105
- the air mover 132 is mounted in the first side 103 .
- an air intake portion 134 of the air mover 132 extends through a portion of the first partition member 104 to draw air from the second side 105 .
- the popping drum 120 is positioned above the air mover 132 and over an opening or slot 107 extending longitudinally through the housing 102 .
- the slot 107 is formed between a second partition member 106 spaced apart from a third partition member 108 .
- the second partition member 106 extends from the first partition member 104
- the third partition member 108 extends from a side portion of the housing 102 .
- the slot 107 can have a width of about 4 inches. In other embodiments, however, the slot 107 can have a greater or lesser width than about 4 inches.
- the popping drum 120 can act as a fluidized bed dryer when heated air is forced through the screen 124 to pop the popcorn 101 .
- kernels of corn can be fed into one end of the popping drum 120 as the popping drum 120 rotates in the direction of arrow 119 .
- the popping drum 120 moves the kernels from one end of the popping drum 120 to the opposite end of the popping drum 120 over the slot 107 .
- the air mover 132 forces heated air through the slot 107 to pop the popcorn kernels as shown in FIG. 1B .
- the heat source 110 heats the surrounding air in the second portion 105 of the housing 102 .
- the air is heated between about 420 to about 450 degrees Fahrenheit, e.g., about 435 degrees Fahrenheit. In other embodiments, however, the air can be heated to be more or less than about 435 degrees Fahrenheit.
- the air mover 132 draws the heated air, indicated by arrows 115 , from the second side 105 through the blower intake portion 134 .
- the air mover 132 forces the heated air, indicated by arrows 111 , from the first side 103 through the slot 107 .
- the popcorn kernels on the bottom of the popping drum 120 are lifted and agitated by the force of the air and behave like a fluid.
- the high velocity of the heated air provides a very high heat transfer rate, and the kernels 101 pop. After the air passes through the popping drum 120 , indicated by arrow 113 , the air returns to the second side 105 and travels by the heater 110 and again into the intake portion 134 of the blower.
- FIG. 2A is an isometric view of a popping machine 200 configured in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.
- the popping machine 200 includes several features that are generally similar in form and function to those of the popping machine described above with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B .
- the popping machine 200 includes a cabinet or housing 202 having side covers 203 (only a first side cover 203 a and a second side cover 203 b are visible in FIG. 2A ) and an upper cover 204 .
- the popping machine 200 also includes an inlet or hopper 205 to load the unpopped kernels of corn, and an outlet or discharge chute 207 to dispense the popcorn.
- the popping machine 200 further includes a motor cover 206 , which as described in detail below, at least partially covers a motor that drives a blower.
- the popping machine 200 is portable or mobile.
- the popping machine 200 includes one more lockable rollers 209 (e.g., casters, wheels, etc.) to allow the popping machine 200 to be moved or wheeled to different locations for use.
- the configuration of the popping machine 200 allows the popping machine 200 to be moved (e.g., rolled) through, for example, a standard doorway measuring about 34-36 inches in width.
- FIG. 2B is a front side view
- FIG. 2C is a right side view of the popping machine 200
- the first side cover 203 a and the second side cover 203 b have been removed for purposes of illustrating certain components of the popping machine 200
- the popping machine 200 includes the popping drum 120 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B .
- the popping machine 200 also includes a drive assembly 230 with an air mover 232 mounted on a rotating shaft 240 extending laterally across the popping machine 200 .
- the air mover 232 is operably coupled to the shaft 240 such that rotation of the shaft 240 drives the air mover 232 blades to force air through the popping machine 200 .
- a first end portion 242 of the shaft 240 is operably coupled to a first bearing assembly 246
- an opposite second end portion 244 of the shaft is operably coupled to a second bearing assembly 248
- the first end portion 242 of the shaft 240 protrudes from the first bearing assembly 246 and is operably coupled to a first pulley 252
- a belt 254 extends between the first pulley 252 and a second pulley 256 , which is in turn operably coupled to a motor 250 .
- the motor 250 rotates the shaft 240 through the second pulley 256 , the belt 254 , and the first pulley 252 , thereby driving the air mover 232 .
- the motor 250 is attached to a lower portion of the housing 202 . In other embodiments, however, the motor 250 can be positioned at different locations on the popping machine 200 . For example, the motor 250 can be positioned above, below, or laterally adjacent to the first bearing assembly 242 . Moreover, in other embodiments, the motor 250 can be operably coupled directly to the shaft 240 to drive the air mover 232 without the first pulley 252 , belt 254 , and/or second pulley 256 .
- FIG. 2D is a left side view
- FIG. 2E is a plan view of the popping machine 200 .
- the popping machine 200 is shown with a third side cover 203 c covering a side portion of the popping machine 200 .
- the illustrated embodiment also includes a second bearing assembly cover 208 generally opposite the motor cover 206 .
- the motor cover 206 at least partially encases and/or hides the first bearing assembly 242 and the motor 250 ( FIG. 2C ), and the second bearing assembly cover 208 at least partially encases and/or hides the second bearing assembly 244 ( FIG. 2C ).
- the popping machine 200 has an overall width W that is less than the overall width of a conventional dry popping machine.
- the overall width W of the popping machine 220 can be less than about 36 inches, e.g., less than about 34 inches. More specifically, in one embodiment, the overall width W can be about 25 inches. In other embodiments, however, the overall width W can be greater than or less than about 25 inches.
- the reduced overall width W of the illustrated popping machine 200 can be achieved due to the configuration of the drive assembly 230 described above with reference to FIGS. 2B and 2C (and/or the drive assembly 130 described above with reference to FIG. 1A ).
- the shaft 240 supporting the air mover 232 is contained primarily within the housing 202 , with only a relatively short segment of the first end portion 242 of the shaft 240 projecting from the housing 202 .
- the illustrated embodiment of the popping machine 200 can be moved (e.g., rolled) through standard doorways typically measuring 34-36 inches wide.
- the embodiments of the popping machines described herein can be easily moved into theaters, stores, and/or other establishments that are typically only accessible via standard doorways having widths of about 34-36 inches, without disassembly of the popping machines. This is particularly useful for businesses, such as theaters, candy stores, etc., that sell large quantities of popcorn.
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Nutrition Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
- Grain Derivatives (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference in its entirety U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/068,635 entitled “POPCORN POPPING MACHINES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND USE” filed Mar. 7, 2008.
- The present disclosure relates generally to popcorn popping machines.
- Popcorn popping machines are known in the art. One type of conventional popcorn popping machine makes popcorn by heating corn kernels in oil. Another type of popcorn popping machine, known as a “dry” popping machine, makes popcorn by heating corn kernels in hot air. In a “dry” popping machine, the corn kernels are subjected to a current of hot air to heat the kernels to the popping temperature. After popping the popcorn in the hot air, flavoring (e.g., butter, caramel, oil, etc.) can be added to the popcorn if desired. Popping machines using hot air to pop large quantities of popcorn are typically used for commercial purposes.
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FIG. 1A is a schematic side view of a popcorn popping machine configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. -
FIG. 1B is an isometric view of a popping drum of the popping machine ofFIG. 1A . -
FIG. 2A is an isometric view,FIG. 2B is a front side view,FIG. 2C is a right side view,FIG. 2D is a left side view, andFIG. 2E is a plan view of a popcorn popping machine configured in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. - The following disclosure describes various types of popcorn popping machines and methods of making and using such popping machines. Certain details are set forth in the following description and in
FIGS. 1A-2E to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. Other details describing well-known structures and systems often associated with popping machines, however, are not set forth below to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the various embodiments of the invention. - Many of the details and features shown in the Figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments can have other details and features without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that further embodiments can be practiced without several of the details described below. Various embodiments of the invention can include structures other than those illustrated in the Figures and are expressly not limited to the structures shown in the Figures.
- In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify identical or at least generally similar elements. To facilitate the discussion of any particular element, the most significant digit or digits of any reference number refer to the Figure in which that element is first introduced. For example,
element 110 is first introduced and discussed with reference toFIG. 1 . Moreover, the various elements and features illustrated in the Figures may not be drawn to scale. -
FIG. 1A is a schematic side view of a popcorn popping machine 100 (“popping machine”) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, thepopping machine 100 includes a cabinet orhousing 102 enclosing apopping drum 120, an air mover 132 (e.g., an axial fan, plug fan, centrifugal fan, high velocity fan, etc.), and a heat source 110 (e.g., an electrical heating element, gas burner, etc.), among other components.FIG. 1B is an isometric view of the poppingdrum 120. Referring toFIGS. 1A and 1B together, thepopping drum 120 extends longitudinally in thehousing 102 and includes a corn mover 123 (e.g., a conveyor belt, screw conveyor, auger, etc.) mounted on ashaft 121. In the illustrated embodiment, thecorn mover 123 is anauger 122. In one embodiment, theauger 122 can have a diameter of about 12 inches and a pitch of about 6 inches, and theshaft 121 can have a diameter of about 3 inches and a length of about 48 inches. In other embodiments, however, these dimensions can differ. For example, theauger 122 and/or theshaft 121 can be different sizes, and theauger 122 can have a greater pitch, a finer pitch, segments with different pitches, etc. Theauger 122 is covered with a screen 124 (partially shown inFIG. 1B ) wrapped around and extending along the length of theauger 122. In one embodiment, thescreen 124 can be formed from perforated sheet metal that is approximately 35% open. In other embodiments, however, thescreen 124 can be made from other suitable materials that are more or less than about 35% open. - In the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 1A , thepopping machine 100 includes adrive assembly 130 having a relatively compact width compared with conventional dry popping machines. Thedrive assembly 130 includes theair mover 132 which is mounted on asupport shaft 140 extending laterally across a portion of thehousing 102. Thesupport shaft 140 extends across thehousing 102 from a first side 109 a of thehousing 102 to a second side 109 b of thehousing 102. More specifically, afirst end portion 142 of thesupport shaft 140 is supported by afirst bearing assembly 146 at the first side 109 a, and an oppositesecond end portion 144 of thesupport shaft 140 is supported by a second bearingassembly 148 at the second side 109 b. Thefirst bearing assembly 146 and thesecond bearing assembly 148 are configured to support thesupport shaft 140 and allow thesupport shaft 140 to rotate about its longitudinal axis to drive theair mover 132. In the illustrated embodiment, thefirst bearing assembly 146 and thesecond bearing assembly 148 are each attached to an exterior surface of thehousing 102. In other embodiments, however, thefirst bearing assembly 146 and thesecond bearing assembly 148 can be located at other positions, including, for example, inside thehousing 102, integral with thehousing 102, etc. In still further embodiments, thesupport shaft 140 can be cantilevered from a side portion of thehousing 102. Moreover, as also shown in the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal or rotational axis of thesupport shaft 140 extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal or rotational axis of theshaft 121 of thecorn mover 123. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
first end portion 142 of thesupport shaft 140 extends outwardly beyond thefirst bearing assembly 146 and is operably coupled to afirst pulley 152. A chain orbelt 154 operably couples thefirst pulley 152 to asecond pulley 156. Thesecond pulley 156 is carried by adrive shaft 158 extending from and operably coupled to a motor 150 (shown schematically). As a result, themotor 150 rotatessecond pulley 156, which drives thefirst pulley 152 via thebelt 154. In the illustrated embodiment, themotor 150 is attached to a lower portion of thehousing 102. In other embodiments, however, themotor 150 can be positioned in other locations. For example, themotor 150 can be positioned on the side of thehousing 102 above, below, or laterally spaced apart from thefirst bearing assembly 146. In still further embodiments, themotor 150 can be operably coupled directly to thefirst end portion 142 of thesupport shaft 140 to drive thesupport shaft 140 without the use of thefirst pulley 152, thebelt 154, and/or thesecond pulley 156. - The interior of the
housing 102 is separated into afirst side 103 and asecond side 105 by a first divider orpartition member 104 extending longitudinally through thehousing 102. Theheat source 110 is mounted inside thehousing 102 in thesecond side 105, and theair mover 132 is mounted in thefirst side 103. In the illustrated embodiment, anair intake portion 134 of theair mover 132 extends through a portion of thefirst partition member 104 to draw air from thesecond side 105. The poppingdrum 120 is positioned above theair mover 132 and over an opening or slot 107 extending longitudinally through thehousing 102. Theslot 107 is formed between asecond partition member 106 spaced apart from athird partition member 108. Thesecond partition member 106 extends from thefirst partition member 104, and thethird partition member 108 extends from a side portion of thehousing 102. In the illustrated embodiment, theslot 107 can have a width of about 4 inches. In other embodiments, however, theslot 107 can have a greater or lesser width than about 4 inches. - In operation, the popping
drum 120 can act as a fluidized bed dryer when heated air is forced through thescreen 124 to pop thepopcorn 101. In the illustrated embodiment, kernels of corn can be fed into one end of the poppingdrum 120 as the poppingdrum 120 rotates in the direction ofarrow 119. In this manner, the poppingdrum 120 moves the kernels from one end of the poppingdrum 120 to the opposite end of the poppingdrum 120 over theslot 107. As the corn kernels are moved over theslot 107, theair mover 132 forces heated air through theslot 107 to pop the popcorn kernels as shown inFIG. 1B . More specifically, theheat source 110 heats the surrounding air in thesecond portion 105 of thehousing 102. In one embodiment, the air is heated between about 420 to about 450 degrees Fahrenheit, e.g., about 435 degrees Fahrenheit. In other embodiments, however, the air can be heated to be more or less than about 435 degrees Fahrenheit. Theair mover 132 draws the heated air, indicated byarrows 115, from thesecond side 105 through theblower intake portion 134. Theair mover 132 forces the heated air, indicated byarrows 111, from thefirst side 103 through theslot 107. As the heated air passes into the poppingdrum 120, the popcorn kernels on the bottom of the poppingdrum 120 are lifted and agitated by the force of the air and behave like a fluid. The high velocity of the heated air provides a very high heat transfer rate, and thekernels 101 pop. After the air passes through the poppingdrum 120, indicated byarrow 113, the air returns to thesecond side 105 and travels by theheater 110 and again into theintake portion 134 of the blower. -
FIG. 2A is an isometric view of a poppingmachine 200 configured in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. The poppingmachine 200 includes several features that are generally similar in form and function to those of the popping machine described above with reference toFIGS. 1A and 1B . In the illustrated embodiment, the poppingmachine 200 includes a cabinet orhousing 202 having side covers 203 (only afirst side cover 203 a and a second side cover 203 b are visible inFIG. 2A ) and anupper cover 204. The poppingmachine 200 also includes an inlet orhopper 205 to load the unpopped kernels of corn, and an outlet or discharge chute 207 to dispense the popcorn. The poppingmachine 200 further includes amotor cover 206, which as described in detail below, at least partially covers a motor that drives a blower. - In the illustrated embodiment, the popping
machine 200 is portable or mobile. For example, the poppingmachine 200 includes one more lockable rollers 209 (e.g., casters, wheels, etc.) to allow the poppingmachine 200 to be moved or wheeled to different locations for use. As described in detail below, the configuration of the poppingmachine 200 allows the poppingmachine 200 to be moved (e.g., rolled) through, for example, a standard doorway measuring about 34-36 inches in width. -
FIG. 2B is a front side view, andFIG. 2C is a right side view of the poppingmachine 200. Referring toFIGS. 2B and 2C together, in the illustrated embodiment, thefirst side cover 203 a and the second side cover 203 b have been removed for purposes of illustrating certain components of the poppingmachine 200. For example, the poppingmachine 200 includes the poppingdrum 120 described above with reference toFIGS. 1A and 1B . The poppingmachine 200 also includes adrive assembly 230 with anair mover 232 mounted on arotating shaft 240 extending laterally across the poppingmachine 200. Theair mover 232 is operably coupled to theshaft 240 such that rotation of theshaft 240 drives theair mover 232 blades to force air through the poppingmachine 200. Afirst end portion 242 of theshaft 240 is operably coupled to afirst bearing assembly 246, and an oppositesecond end portion 244 of the shaft is operably coupled to asecond bearing assembly 248. Thefirst end portion 242 of theshaft 240 protrudes from thefirst bearing assembly 246 and is operably coupled to a first pulley 252. Abelt 254 extends between the first pulley 252 and asecond pulley 256, which is in turn operably coupled to amotor 250. In operation, themotor 250 rotates theshaft 240 through thesecond pulley 256, thebelt 254, and the first pulley 252, thereby driving theair mover 232. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
motor 250 is attached to a lower portion of thehousing 202. In other embodiments, however, themotor 250 can be positioned at different locations on the poppingmachine 200. For example, themotor 250 can be positioned above, below, or laterally adjacent to thefirst bearing assembly 242. Moreover, in other embodiments, themotor 250 can be operably coupled directly to theshaft 240 to drive theair mover 232 without the first pulley 252,belt 254, and/orsecond pulley 256. -
FIG. 2D is a left side view, andFIG. 2E is a plan view of the poppingmachine 200. Referring toFIGS. 2D and 2E together, in the illustrated embodiment, the poppingmachine 200 is shown with athird side cover 203 c covering a side portion of the poppingmachine 200. The illustrated embodiment also includes a secondbearing assembly cover 208 generally opposite themotor cover 206. Themotor cover 206 at least partially encases and/or hides thefirst bearing assembly 242 and the motor 250 (FIG. 2C ), and the secondbearing assembly cover 208 at least partially encases and/or hides the second bearing assembly 244 (FIG. 2C ). - In the illustrated embodiment, the popping
machine 200 has an overall width W that is less than the overall width of a conventional dry popping machine. In certain embodiments, for example, the overall width W of the poppingmachine 220 can be less than about 36 inches, e.g., less than about 34 inches. More specifically, in one embodiment, the overall width W can be about 25 inches. In other embodiments, however, the overall width W can be greater than or less than about 25 inches. The reduced overall width W of the illustrated poppingmachine 200 can be achieved due to the configuration of thedrive assembly 230 described above with reference toFIGS. 2B and 2C (and/or thedrive assembly 130 described above with reference toFIG. 1A ). More specifically, theshaft 240 supporting theair mover 232 is contained primarily within thehousing 202, with only a relatively short segment of thefirst end portion 242 of theshaft 240 projecting from thehousing 202. This differs from conventional dry popping machines that include a cantilevered shaft and associated support structure for the blower, that extend outwardly from the housing. In this manner, the illustrated embodiment of the poppingmachine 200 can be moved (e.g., rolled) through standard doorways typically measuring 34-36 inches wide. As a result, the embodiments of the popping machines described herein can be easily moved into theaters, stores, and/or other establishments that are typically only accessible via standard doorways having widths of about 34-36 inches, without disassembly of the popping machines. This is particularly useful for businesses, such as theaters, candy stores, etc., that sell large quantities of popcorn. - From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the various embodiments of the invention. For example, the popping machines disclosed herein can include blowers mounted in different positions in the popping machine. Moreover, while various advantages and features associated with certain embodiments of the invention have been described above in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages and/or features, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages and/or features to fall within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the invention is not limited, except as by the appended claims.
Claims (20)
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US12/399,747 US8201492B2 (en) | 2008-03-07 | 2009-03-06 | Popcorn popping machines and associated methods of manufacture and use |
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US12/399,747 US8201492B2 (en) | 2008-03-07 | 2009-03-06 | Popcorn popping machines and associated methods of manufacture and use |
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Cited By (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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